Unit: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe Historical Background

Western Africa

West African History 1800’s: European scramble for Africa Reasons: Wanted to “civilize” the savages Natural resources ($) Expose the Africans to Christianity. Lasted until late 1800’s when countries started to gain independence

Early Exploration Nations claiming ownership: Portugal, Spain, Dutch, France, Netherlands, England and others soon followed… Main commodities: slaves, gold, ivory, rubber plants, diamonds and spices

Africa Divided

European Views of Africa During this time, most Europeans thought that Africa was a dangerous country, full of cannibals. Explorers brought back stories of strange traditions, people and customs. Africa was known as the “dark continent”

The Dark Continent Considered Dark for several reasons: The skin color of the people Dark in jungle areas (due to overgrowth, trees, etc. Dark because customs seemed barbaric. Dark because lack of Christianity (Showing them the “light” of God”

Heart of Darkness Short novel, written by Polish born writer, Joseph Conrad Fiction, but based on his travels through Africa on the Congo river

Dark Continent Conrad spends a lot of time discussing how dark the Africans were, how dark their customs were, the barbarism of the African ways and hints to the fact that some of this might be because they are not Christians.

Quote: It was unearthly, and the men were—No, they were not inhuman. Well, you know, that was the worst of it—the suspicion of their not being inhuman. It would come slowly to one. They howled and leaped, and spun, and made horrid faces; but what thrilled you was just the thought of their humanity—like yours—the thought of your remote kinship with this wild and passionate uproar. Ugly.

Publication Heart of Darkness was very popular when first published. Many European countries sent missionaries to Africa. The novel confirmed their ideas of what Africa and Africans were like.

Chinua Achebe Born in Nigeria in 1930 Worked as a radio producer Awarded over 25 honorary doctorates from Universities throughout the world.

Chinua Achebe Achebe, felt that Heart of Darkness is a racist novel and that it’s author, Joseph Conrad was a racist. He wrote Things Fall Apart (1959) in an attempt to show that what Europeans thought was strange, actually had meaning and importance.

Today Things Fall Apart is read worldwide in high schools and colleges. It’s story of a man who “falls apart” as his culture is destroyed by the views and ways of white settlers.

Setting Nigeria End of 1800s, right before the arrival of white men Centers around the Ibo tribe. Told in 3 parts:

Things Fall Apart: Purpose Things Fall Apart is set in the 1890s, during the coming of the white man to Nigeria. In part, the novel is a response and antidote to a large tradition of European literature in which Africans are depicted as primitive and mindless savages.

His purpose (cont) His purpose is bringing dignity back to the individuals of Africa. Consistently presented as ignorant, dark, almost sinister people with no sense of justice or purpose.

Okonkwo It follows a tragic hero, as the title suggests. It’s important to track him as he goes.

Style Simple sentences: simplicity of life Imagery: metaphors and similes Proverbs: used to comment on human behavior, importance of oral communication. Folk Tales: show values of society

Religious Beliefs Different than Christianity: Supreme God: Chukwu Represented by many minor gods Personal Gods: Chi In control of personal destiny Ancestors Represented by masked men at social gatherings. Highly respected and worshipped, provides interaction between the worlds of living and dead